Kym Skinner Goondiwindi and Region | Political candidate

Kym Skinner Goondiwindi and Region

Phone: +61 457 589 858

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25.01.2022 Here’s the Latest from the Mayor’s Desk. 21 July 2020 We are already quickly settling in to the new financial year and so, in this fortnight’s column, I am dra...wing your attention to the topic of general rates. Notices will be in the mail next week for the period 1 July - 31 December 2020 if you do not receive your notice by 5 August, please get in touch with Council on 07 4671 7400. Firstly, I implore all ratepayers in the region to take advantage of Council’s early payment discount, which allows for a generous 15% discount if the notice is paid by Wednesday 26 August. Secondly, I want to take this opportunity to provide some insight and context around Council’s decision to implement a 1.7% average general rate rise for the 2020-21 financial year. Less than half of Council’s total operational expenditure for this year will come from rates 53% is externally sourced through grants, subsidies and sales, and we are extremely proud of that figure. For the average ratepayer, a 1.7% rise results in an increase of just under $40. A rate rise of 1.7% is, in fact, one of the smallest ever implemented by this Council and will generate only $235,000 of extra revenue. The whole of this amount, along with an additional $230,000 of Council’s Budget, will go towards Council’s COVID-19 Community and Economic Support Package to provide targeted assistance to the industries and community groups most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Council was extremely mindful of the impact of current circumstances - including the ongoing drought - in its preparation of the 2020-21 Budget. Council itself is not immune to the challenges facing much of our community: since amalgamation, its workforce has been reduced from 198 to 175 (including 19 casual) staff members and this is despite an increase in provided services. In March this year the Goondiwindi region saw huge changes in land valuations determined by the Queensland Government’s Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy. For example, some rural areas within our region - especially throughout the larger mixed brigalow farming and irrigated floodplains of Goondiwindi, and to the west around North Talwood - saw valuation changes ranging from 0 80%. Some commercial and industrial properties experienced valuation increases of up to 120%. It is important to note that changes to land valuations do not alter the overall revenue that Council collects from rates what does change is how that revenue is divided between rateable properties. (For clarification on this, visit www.dlgrma.qld.gov.au and search ‘How are rates determined?’.) To ensure that individual ratepayers aren’t too adversely affected by this year’s huge fluctuations in land valuations, Council is maintaining a cap of 20% on the rate increase for any one property. Despite this, 441 of the 5,208 rate notices will unfortunately still include an increase of more than 5% due to the increase in their land valuation - but 573 rate notices will see a reduction of up to 40%. Finally, on a different note: the next edition of Council’s Belong magazine is now arriving in mailboxes across the region I do hope you’ll look out for the GrainCorp Silos at Yelarbon on the cover, along with the sub-committee who helped to make the artwork happen. Inside, you’ll find more details about our region’s new tourism campaign and Visitor Strategy, some great ways to support our local businesses, and how Council is planning to improve the region’s resilience to future drought events. I would also encourage you to find out what opportunities may be available to you through Council’s COVID-19 Community and Economic Support Package, which includes increased funding opportunities for community groups. Hon. Cr Lawrence Springborg AM

24.01.2022 Mayor seeks certainty for aged care in Inglewood Mayor of the Goondiwindi Region the Honourable Lawrence Springborg AM is seeking certainty on behalf of the Ing...lewood community about the continuation of aged care in the town. Cr Springborg says the residents, their family members, and the staff of the CoCC Inglewood Aged Care Service all deserved more certainty about the future of the facility. The Mayor says he’s received numerous calls over recent days from residents concerned about the potential closure of the Churches of Christ Care Inglewood Aged Care Service, where some families have reportedly been advised to prepare to relocate their loved one to another facility outside the Goondiwindi region. Council has sought confirmation about the future of the Inglewood facility from Churches of Christ Care (CoCC), a national organisation that operates 28 residential aged care services across Queensland. A representative from the organisation has acknowledged the anxiety felt by Inglewood families about the current low occupancy but insisted to Council that the Inglewood Aged Care Service is continuing to take new bookings. Certainly this is a very emotive subject and frankly I don’t think the response given so far has been good enough. I’m also advised by Churches of Christ Care that the Inglewood Aged Care Service is experiencing low occupancy and is currently rostering their staff accordingly. While I acknowledge that CoCC has to make financial considerations about each of its facilities, I am asking that they give the community in Inglewood the transparency and certainty they need to make informed decisions about the future of their - and their loved ones’ - care. As a Council, we will be continuing to advocate for the provision of an aged care service in Inglewood. The Mayor says residents who require more information should contact Steve Webster, Churches of Christ Care - Director of Communications and Marketing, on 0433 142 215.

23.01.2022 Out and about yesterday with Rotary. Rotary provided morning tea for the hard workers at the Border Crossing. Thank you QPS, ADF and TMR for keeping us safe, keep up the good work.

22.01.2022 The next 6 weeks are going to be the killer. ... in. VIC... 100 people in the first lockdown died of suicide in the first week alone.... That was only in Victor...ia too. ... and 3000 nation wide since the panicdemic ... yet we seem to hear nothing of this ... because you can’t catch Suicide, I have had some people respond... just repeat that a few times and think about it .... yes it is viral it’s growing at faster rates than COVID up 50% in Aus alone .. yet nothing... no media ... nothing... The mental health issues related to lockdown and the pandemic are especially hard for people with depression. People need human contact ... The wonderful charity MIND have a 24 hour helpline: 1300 554 660 or call:- NSW - 1800 011 511 Mental Health Line VIC - 1300 651 251 Suicide Help Line QLD - 13 43 25 84 13 HEALTH TAS - 1800 332 388 Mental Health Services Helpline SA - 13 14 65 Mental Health Assessment and Crisis Intervention Service WA - 1800 676 822 Mental Health Emergency Response Line NT - 08 8999 4988 Top End Mental Health Service ACT - 1800 629 354 Mental Health Triage Service Please could any two of my Facebook friends just copy and repost to share the helpline far and wide. Just two. Any two. Say done. DONE!

20.01.2022 What a great night at the Rotary Change Over Dinner. If you would like to give back to your community and have a lot of fun join Rotary. I have enjoyed my time in Rotary and I look forward to the next year as Rotary Secretary and President Elect.

19.01.2022 Yelarbon and Inglewood thank you for your support and beautiful work. These beanies are off to the Cancer Council. Your time and love shown in these beanies is very much appreciated. you are beautiful people thank you to Julie Kelly for coordinating these beanies between our towns.

19.01.2022 On my way to Inglewood to visit family I saw two ladies off the side of the road, it looked like they were clearing some area. On my way back from Inglewood I pulled in to where the ladies had been. Well I never knew this monument for the Dingo Fence was here in Yelarbon. I’m a local and spent many many days in Yelarbon and did not know this history. I knew about the Dingo Fence but didn’t know the full history. It would be nice to have this site better signed for tourist and locals. A seat and table at the site would be nice. Not sure if this is what the locals want but what a great find. Well done Yelarbon.

18.01.2022 My daughters wedding. A perfect day a perfect wedding. Mr and Mrs Klupp

14.01.2022 Disability Parking Changes Council has recently been advised that the penalty for misuse of Disabled parking will be increased from one penalty unit to four p...enalty units. The effect of this change is that fines issued by Goondiwindi Regional Council for this offence will rise from $66.00 to $266.00. Police can also issue fines however; the fines are significantly higher at $533.00. The new penalties came into effect on 31 August 2020.

13.01.2022 A great night at Rotary tonight. Tracey Macdonald from Care Goondiwindi gave a very informative talk about the services Care Goondiwindi provide. Tracey also talked about the new Respite Units that will be built in Goondiwindi in the future.

12.01.2022 Thank you thank you

11.01.2022 Congratulations Flicky well deserved

11.01.2022 Hi everyone. Would you like to help? If you don’t want to help or can’t help that’s ok. No negative comments please.

09.01.2022 I had my first Golf Lesson today, thank you Nikky Kruger from Goondiwindi Golf Club. Great exercise and good for the mind. Plus no one got hurt, no balls were lost lol I can’t hit them that far yet.

05.01.2022 Had to pull out the big guns today to help me refresh my skills with sewing knitted squares together. Thanks mum, better than google or YouTube. These scarfs, blankets etc are going to the homeless and to Roma House in Brisbane. Thank you everyone for your support with this project. Your generosity and kindness is very much appreciated.

04.01.2022 Don't forget this today!

04.01.2022 The teacher (Mum) has gone home and the student (me) continues. Coming together nicely. It’s easy when someone else (Fay Vanderstok) does all the hard work knitting the squares. I’m going to put a boarder all the way around the blanket to finish it off. It will look awesome when pressed and finished. This blanket will keep someone very warm. Goondiwindi and Region

02.01.2022 Congratulations Yelarbon. Front page

01.01.2022 A great afternoon at the Toobeah Pub, we had a great lunch, drinks and awesome coffee topped off with great company. Plus a little live music of our own.

01.01.2022 Thank you Goondiwindi Lions Club for a great night at your Change Over Dinner. My husband Wayne Hamilton is a member of the Lions Club, I was there supporting him but also representing Goondiwindi Rotary Club. Our Service Clubs in Goondiwindi do an amazing job within our Community.